February 2008

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE NEWS

Water's Number One at the Box Office

Colene VogelTechnical Services Program ManagerAmerican Public Works AssociationKansas City, Missouri

The Water Resources Management Committee made some big plans for Congress last year. They put together a little thing they called the Stormwater Summit. They wanted Congress attendees to have the chance to share ideas on all aspects of stormwater management: regulations, program administration and public education, as well as the technical aspects of system design and construction.

The one-day event took place on Workshop Wednesday. With so many great workshops going on, the committee had hopes of attracting at least 75 attendees to the Stormwater Summit. More than 200 came. Their pride in an event well done quickly turned into "now what?" as planning for Congress 2008 began hot on the heels of the Congress 2007 wrap-up.

When the credits rolled for Stormwater Summit '07, the name at the top read Bill Spearman. Bill is closing in on the end of his third term on the Water Resources Management Committee and he's a past member of the Congress Program Review Committee. He took the lead on the Summit and definitely deserves top billing.

As for 2008, sequels are always a challenge. Who will write the screenplay? Will there be a new director or cast changes? There will definitely be a new location. Will the audience return or have they had their fill of the story? And, there's always a chance that a blockbuster could spawn a whole franchise that continues for years to come.

After much discussion, the committee decided to cover green infrastructure and flood control issues at the next Summit. They also decided that it was important to make sure that the sessions are information exchanges and not just presentations. Attendees need an opportunity to share their experiences and ask questions. When everyone is participating and involved, everyone benefits.

Speaking of participation and involvement, would you like to be considered for membership on the Water Resources Management Committee or another committee? Members of APWA's Technical Committees are appointed by the President-Elect and serve two-year terms. Appointments are made from a list of nominees. Nominations are made online, usually by the individual but sometimes by a chapter or Board member. Nominations are open each year for approximately three months (generally, December through February). This year's deadline is March 3.

These people got involved! They are the members of the Water Resources Management Committee:

Joe Superneau, Chair, Springfield, MA

Keith Duncan, Norman, OK

Mary Meloy, Bend, OR

Matt Singleton, Grapevine, TX

Bill Spearman, Columbia, SC

Tom Trice, Bloomfield Hills, MI

The At-Large Director acting as Board Liaison to the committee is George Crombie. The staff liaison is Colene Vogel.

The committee is always looking for input from APWA members and chapters. If you'd like more information on what the committee's up to or how to reach them, just go to apwa.net and select "Technical Committees."

Colene Vogel is also the staff liaison to the Solid Waste Management and Facilities & Grounds Committees. She can be reached at (816) 595-5221 or cvogel@apwa.net.